New projects

Two new projects are underway at the Sensory Trust.

Connect

This three year project, funded by Lloyds TSB Foundation, connects older disabled people and people with learning disabilities with their local public spaces as a way of building lasting links between them and their wider communities.

Both groups of people have been identified as commonly excluded from the benefits of using and getting involved in public green space and are often overlooked by public service providers. Through previous work we have found that these groups share many of the reasons for not using public open space, such as fear and lack of motivation.

This project is a partnership led by the Sensory Trust with core partners Mencap, Eden Project, Disability Cornwall, and Widgit. A further 12 organisations will be involved as collaborators and many older disabled people and people with learning disabilities will be involved in consultation and development over the course of the project.

It will be a fundamental part of a new phase of development of the Sensory Trust. This phase is focused on developing initiatives to test on-the-ground techniques, producing guidelines and creating real examples of good practice for others to use.

Ask

Ask is a one year consultation project involving disabled and non-disabled children in the evaluation of public outdoor space. Proven techniques will be used to ascertain the needs of all people, to inform future design and management decisions. Ask is funded by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

The voices of disabled children have often been neglected in consultation in both countries, and therefore not well represented in outdoor designs. Disabled and non-disabled children will share their opinions on site facilities, barriers to access, services and experience. Students and on-site staff will also take an active role working with the children, allowing them to learn first hand how different peoples needs and experiences can be catered for in an outdoor environment.

The project will develop skills and awareness amongst site and project staff, share information between users and practitioners in both countries and further UK-Japan understanding.